The Red Light District

Ludacris may be talented, but he isn't for kids.

Artist: Ludacris
Genre: Rap Label: Def Jam Parental Advisory: Yes Edited Version Available: Yes Release Date: 11/29/2004

Common Sense Note

We cannot recommend this CD for any kid under 17 because of the explicit language, sex, and violence (which is why it's rated OFF and only has 2 stars). However, there's lots for adult rap fans to enjoy here. Ludacris is poetic, expressive, funny, and musically intriguing. It's too bad that it's next to impossible to find an edited version.

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Common Sense Review

Reviewed By: Kathi Kamen Goldmark

Ludacris finds a moment to slam Bill O'Reilly one more time on THE RED LIGHT DISTRICT, before leading us on through the usual themes of sex, drugs, street life, racism, sexist posturing, and negotiating the peculiar minefield of financial and popular success. Every step of the way he delivers his blistering commentary with humor, poetry, charisma, and every four-letter word in -- or maybe not in -- the dictionary.

One spectacular high point is "Potion," a track that combines a traditional field work song ("Jump down, turn around, pick a bale of cotton") with a rumbling drum beat, looped cooing noises, gasping female backup vocals, and a male chorus singing "What up?" all textured under a rant about wiggling women and the pitfalls of stardom. It's not PC, but it's original, haunting, and even funny. It's the Ludacris genius at its best.

Other inventive moments include a sample of Quincy Jones' "Soul Bossa Nova" (better known as the Austin Powers song) on "Number One Spot" and a wonderful steel drum track on "Put Your Money." The production and musicianship are lovingly crafted and stunningly mixed, and Ludacris performs with his usual expressiveness, an irresistible combination of enthusiasm, cynicism, and joie de vivre -- carefully enunciating every lyric, for better or worse.

For many families, the sheer number of four-letter words will be enough to get this album banned forever from the home entertainment library. For the oldest teens and adult rap fans, though, this one would be a substantial and thought-provoking choice.

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Content		CS	adults	kids
Content
Sexual Content It's explicit!
Violence It's violent!
Language It's dirty!
Message
	Social Behavior "N" word is all over the place, and it's also kind of sexist.
	Commercialism Yeah, brand names too...money is certainly celebrated.
	Drug/Alcohol/Tobacco Lots.